An Exploration of Animal Subjectivity from Animals’ Inner Worlds in Jane Smiley’s Fiction

Limin WU

Abstract


This paper delves into the depiction of animal subjectivity in Jane Smiley’s novels Moo and Horse Heaven. Through an examination of animal characters like Earl Butz, Eileen, Epic Steam, Justa Bob, Limitless, and Froney’s Sis, this study expounds on their unique desires, emotions, memories, and perspectives. It highlights how Smiley opposes anthropocentric biases by presenting animals as focalizers with their own individual voices, breaking away from traditional human-centric narratives. By revealing the complexity of animal minds and emotions, her narratives challenge the anthropocentric viewpoints and emphasize the importance of recognizing the subjectivity and intelligence of all species, fostering a more inclusive understanding of consciousness across different beings and advocating for a reevaluation of animals’ cognitive and emotional capacities.


Keywords


Animal subjectivity; Animals’ inner world; Minds and emotions; Animal focalizers; Jane Smiley

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13272

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